8.5% is really high, but i think the rates on private loans are pretty high now, as well. even with the best credit and co-signors, the best rate you can get now is like 6-7%. also, the PLUS rate is fixed, and since interest rates are supposed to be going up, it might be a better deal than variable rates.

even the rates on stafford loans are disgusting now. they changed the law so that the rates are fixed at 6.8%, no longer variable.

either way, no matter where we take out loans, i think we're all pretty much screwed on financial aid.

i would suggest getting a bank that has locations around your school, but also around your hometown so you can get money without paying those fees for using other atm's. i don't know where you're from, but b of a seems like a pretty safe bet, and if you want to move around after graduation, you can go anywhere and still have tons of branches/atm's

i thought ucla was awesome -- i can't think of anything bad to say about the school. the campus was gorgeous, all the students/profs seemed really nice (altho I actually skipped a lot of the speeches in the morning - did you go to the events on saturday? b/c after saturday, i didn't think I could listen to anything else), and i thought the lender fair/financial aid info session was really helpful.

i also loved westwood village. the only thing i'm really dreading in la is the traffic i visited family in manhattan beach, which is like 20 miles away, and it took forever

no, just the standard 1 yr ltd. warranty. i also didn't get any microsoft office programs installed in it which i think saved me a lot. the price for me was actually exactly $1499, then i used one of those $450 off coupons (of course, the day after i bought it, the $725 coupon came out! i was so mad!)

i know that you can install windows xp into macs now, but there was a warning on the IT page of the ucla website that was like, do not buy macs b/c you can't install their exam-taking software on it.

so, just to be on the safe side, even though i originally wanted to get a powerbook, i ended up buying the dell 710m. it came out to like $1100 for a 2ghz/1gb/40gb which was 300 bucks more than if i got the comparable system on the next size up (xps m140, i think). i figured that since i'll be lugging it to class every day and to the library, i wanted something as light as possible.

I went to one of those Dell Direct Kiosks to actually see the 710m before i bought it b/c i've heard that it sucks to have a small monitor and that it's cramped to type on it b/c the keyboard is so small. For me, i think that it's fine, but I know a few people who hate it. if you have a Dell Direct Kiosk near you, you should try to check it out to determine whether the size is ok for you or not.

so i did a search on older threads re this topic, and it seems like people are spending a lot on this! is it really customary to spend like 50 bucks as a thank-you gift? b/c i was originally just going to send a card

huh, i'm kinda shocked that ppl are so against it. i would think that in any business-related law field, having an mba would play to your advantage when it comes to hiring. in the same way that if you were going in IP, it helps to have a computer science undergrad, or a medical degree/background would help in medical malpractice.

obviously, it's not necessary, and you'll eventually pick these skills/knowledge up while working in the field. plus, you can always take electives in law school related to finance/econ, but if an employer is looking to hire you and you have related degrees/experience, it can only work to your advantage. also, i think it's impressive to corporate clients to know that you understand business. this is kinda weak logic, but i also think there has to be a reason that all top law schools offer a jd/mba program. it can't be completely useless.

i guess in the end, it depends on the individual and what your ultimate career goals are. to some people, it's not worth it. maybe you could ask g-town admissions to hook you up with alumni who have done it, and you can discuss it with them.